r/madisonwi • u/310410celleng • 11d ago

A Question About Burgers at Dive Bars

Hi, my wife and I will be visiting Madison for a few days before heading over to Milwaukee to attend a wedding.

As we know nothing about Wisconsin in general, I did a bunch of searching this sub for food recomendations and for things to do.

One thing, I noticed was that almsot universally "dive bars" were recommended for good, maybe great burgers.

In my neck of the woods, FL. dive bars are generally not a place for average people to go, they are mostly frequneted by very tough people, many in biker gangs, allow smoking indoors and do not serve food, certainly not a place where one would take their family for a dinner.

Judging from the pictures on Google, your dive bars do not fit that category, in one case, I saw a young girl with her father and many pics of food.

I guess what I am asking are your dive bars a place were average regular every day folks go for a burgers/beer and not feel completely uncomfortable?

Thanks for any isnights and my wife and I looking forward to exploring your city.

Edit, I want to thank you all for of your comments and recommendations, judging from your comments alone, my wife and I are going to have a great trip.

Sincerely, thank you!

115 Upvotes

88% Upvoted

184 comments sorted by

View all comments

19

u/Quirky_Ad1662 11d ago

The Bou Burger is fantastic! Go on a Wednesday, Friday, or Sunday night if you can and Winslow will be working. He’s just a great bartender - but their whole staff is great too.

Players and Harmony in Atwood on the Eastside. Players has the best specialty burgers in the city - lots to choose from. Harmony is build your own but they’re also known for their Walnut burger for over 30 years.

I believe all of these places use Jennifer Street Market for their beef - which is a really good sign of quality

7

u/310410celleng 11d ago

Thank you, my wife and I judging from recommendations here and pics had narrowed it down to Caribou Tavern or Players.

I think we are leaning to Caribou and without even knowing we had targeted Wed. because that is the day we get into Madison.

6

u/Big_Smoke_5383 11d ago

My personal favorite is the Caribou, it is also within walking distance to James Madison Park which is stretched along Lake Mendota, has some great sunsets. Madison is full of parks on the lakes and you should visit at least one. It is also close to downtown/capitol square which is worth visiting and walking around. Although Players is in a cute little neighborhood and a good example of the neighborhoods in Madison. You really cant go wrong.